Chelsea!!

It seems to be all about landscaping. Whilst that’s important, it seems to dominate Chelsea nowadays. I have always felt it’s a very cliquey show, with people looking after their mates.

Disappointed with this year at Chelsea, I don’t consider the winner this year to be a garden, it reminded me of an overgrown wilderness, wouldn’t want to sit in it, eat in it or entertain.Find Carol is too over the top. Glad this wasn’t the year I went as it’s the highlight if the year for me.

buffyfly9

It's ok Callistemon, I wasn't sure about toxicity and dogs so I looked it up. There are no problems with the berries at all. They are similar to blueberries apparently and we can eat them, put them in pies etc! Trouble is the birds (pigeons are the worst) strip the whole tree within a couple of days, in fact it's amusing to watch them trying to balance on the slender branches whilst fending off other birds who want to eat them too!!

Oh, perhaps not - we have a pigeon problem already, don't want to encourage them!

I agree the best in show was not a garden. Where were the flowers? and apparently Monty didn't agree with the judges decision. Lovely to see Adam again presenting. Carol Klein just went around hugging everyone.

No idea where Chelsea is heading these days , so many sponsors have backed out over the last few years and more to follow I think.
Best in Show was not a garden, it was a landscape !
Much prefer Hampton Court to Chelsea.

Just caught up with last night’s 7pm visit. Alistair McGowan doing Monty Don and Adam Frost was brilliant! ?

buffyfly9

Get the amelanchier, we have a mature one and it is beautiful, lovely blossom that comes early in spring followed by the leaves and lots of berries that the birds absolutely love.
My friend and I go to a garden show every year so we have done most of them several times. Our favourite is Hampton Court but on the last occasion we were on a coach in a traffic jam for two hours without moving. We are off to Hyde Hall in August, our first visit.

Hyde Hall is our local RHS Garden, I hope you enjoy it.

We go regularly sometimes take the GC as they love the Bees flying to and from their Hives.

The restaurant and cafe use produce grown on site.

It's ok Callistemon, I wasn't sure about toxicity and dogs so I looked it up. There are no problems with the berries at all. They are similar to blueberries apparently and we can eat them, put them in pies etc! Trouble is the birds (pigeons are the worst) strip the whole tree within a couple of days, in fact it's amusing to watch them trying to balance on the slender branches whilst fending off other birds who want to eat them too!!

Exactly what we were saying yesterday merlotgran.

Thanks buffyfly
As long as the berries aren't toxic to dogs.

Out of stock in two garden centres I've checked online so they must be a popular choice.

I hope other designers won’t be tempted to go down the landscape route in future. I’d rather see naturalistic planting incorporated into gardens of all shapes and sizes whether urban or rural.

Chelsea Flower Show innit!

Get the amelanchier, we have a mature one and it is beautiful, lovely blossom that comes early in spring followed by the leaves and lots of berries that the birds absolutely love.
My friend and I go to a garden show every year so we have done most of them several times. Our favourite is Hampton Court but on the last occasion we were on a coach in a traffic jam for two hours without moving. We are off to Hyde Hall in August, our first visit.

Rewilding garden best in show? I'm not sure I can accommodate beavers here in my water-free garden. I am planning a small pebble water bubble area though, so maybe they'll move in!
I agree Katie59 that a there is a difference between a show garden and a real one. It's good to get a snapshot though of what is out there in the specialist nursery world. I visit open gardens when i can and find that very interesting.

We are both very keen gardeners but never visit “Garden Shows” or watch garden “makeovers”. It’s easy to get a load of pot plants and arrange them in whatever fashion you want a and make it look perfect for a week. Not impressed at all.

The real skill is growing a garden that looks good year round and changes week to week.

Have a brilliant time vegansrock as a new convert to flowers (been veg for many previous years), I’m drinking in the coverage.

Oops, spoke too soon, Joe needs to pull his jacket down for him, his collar is up round his ears.

A problem solved (possibly) - we want a small tree for the garden and have just seen an amelanchier which looks promising.

But Monty can carry it off, unlike Boris

I think I’m hooked on fashion watching this year as well as admiring the show gardens.

Nikki Chapman looks amazing. Sarah Eberle’s large white trainers had me ? and Monty looks like he’s competing with Boris for the best baggy, crumpled suit look. ?

I want Carol Klein’s earrings! ?

vegansrock

I’m going to Chelsea later this week! So looking forward to it. Rain forecast for today, but should be dry and not too hot later in the week. Fingers crossed!

Enjoy yourself!

I'm envious but couldn't manage it now

Fantastic photos!
More than once guest and I* have taken one of the many trishaws waiting outside Sloane Square Underground - very lazy but it saved our feet for all that tramping around later.

*Especially when it was once a sister in law on her birthday!

I think this is supposed to be The Queen

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-84361-img-6939.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-421819-img-6931.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-944441-img-6934.jpg

The King's Road always rises to the occasion - I took these this morning. Lots of the shops have displays but it's difficult to get a decent shot as everyone else has the same idea!

vegansrock

I’m going to Chelsea later this week! So looking forward to it. Rain forecast for today, but should be dry and not too hot later in the week. Fingers crossed!

?for you. I’ve been on a wet, chilly day and it wasn’t much fun. For a few years we had free tickets, and on that day I’d taken a friend who’d never been and needed a treat. We left early, very disappointing - and of course because of the rain, the marquees were all absolutely heaving.
Of course Sod’s Law decreed that it’d be lovely and sunny the day after! ?

If doing a flower show again, personally I’d choose Hampton Court. At least it’s likely to be warmer, and there is miles more space for the crowds.

I share the Queen's love of Lily of the Valley. I wanted some in my bridal bouquet, but they don't grow them in Kenya so I had some artificial ones among my golden roses.
I've always wanted to go to the Chelsea Flower show, but sadly don't think I'd have the stamina nowadays. How to people with hay fever cope going round the exhibits?